Does Brother block third-party ink? no, and Brother said so itself
No. Brother does not firmware-lock third-party ink or toner. In March 2025, after rumours spread that a Brother update was blocking compatibles, Brother stated plainly that its firmware updates do not block the use of third-party ink in its machines. If your Brother printer rejected a cartridge, the cause is almost always a fault, not a lockout.
What Brother actually said
In a statement to Ars Technica in March 2025, Brother addressed the rumours directly: 'Please be assured that Brother firmware updates do not block the use of third-party ink in our machines.'
Brother added that its printers will not deliberately degrade print quality when you use non-Brother supplies, though it cannot guarantee the quality of third-party ink. During troubleshooting a machine may check for genuine Brother supplies, but that check does not stop the printer working. That last detail is probably where the confusion started.
What you will actually see
On a Brother machine a compatible cartridge or toner usually just prints. You may get a message that the supply is not genuine, or the toner-level readout may be inaccurate because the printer cannot meter a chip it does not recognise. Neither stops you printing.
This is very different from an HP firmware block, which refuses to print at all. If you want the full brand comparison, see our DRM tracker.
The warranty catch
Brother's own support line is that it recommends genuine drum units and toner, and that its limited warranty does not cover any problem or damage caused by third-party toner or cartridges. That is a warranty boundary, not a block, and it is the same position most makers take.
In the US and UK you still keep the rest of your warranty. A maker cannot void the whole thing simply because you used compatible supplies. Buy from a seller with good reviews and a guarantee, and keep the receipt.
Should you still hold updates
There is no evidence Brother uses updates to block ink, so you do not need to fear a Brother update the way you would an HP one. Even so, printer firmware rarely needs updating often, and holding automatic updates costs you little. If you want to be cautious, set the printer to notify rather than install on its own.
Common questions
Will a Brother firmware update block my compatible toner?
There is no evidence it will. Brother stated in March 2025 that its firmware updates do not block third-party ink. If a cartridge stopped working after an update, look first at a seating fault, a bad chip, or a genuinely faulty cartridge rather than a deliberate lockout.
Does using third-party toner void my Brother warranty?
It does not void the whole warranty. Brother will not cover damage a third-party cartridge actually caused, but under US and UK law the rest of your warranty stands. Keep your receipt and buy from a reputable seller.
Why does my Brother printer say the cartridge is not genuine?
Because it detected a non-Brother chip. The message is a warning, not a block, and the printer keeps working. The toner-level display may be wrong for that cartridge, so watch print quality and keep a spare ready.
Keep reading
- Printer firmware-DRM tracker our sourced, model-by-model list of which printers can block third-party ink.
- Does HP block third-party ink? the one brand that actually can, and how its firmware block works.
- Does Canon block third-party ink? why the ink-level error is not a lockout, and how to clear it.
- Does Epson block third-party ink? warn-not-block, plus the firmware caveat Epson puts in writing.
- Are cheap third-party cartridges safe to use? the real risks and a seller-vetting checklist.
- It will not print black and only a colour is empty Brother's black and white only mode, and the four weeks it gives you.
Sources
- Brother Support, Can I use non-Brother or third party supplies with the Brother machine? (warranty does not cover third-party damage; no mention of blocking). support.brother.com
- How-To Geek, Don't Worry, Brother Isn't Blocking Your Third-Party Ink (quotes Brother's March 2025 statement to Ars Technica). howtogeek.com
- Ars Technica, Brother denies using firmware updates to brick printers with third-party ink (the original March 2025 statement). arstechnica.com
- US Federal Trade Commission, Businessperson's guide to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (you keep the rest of your warranty when using non-OEM supplies). ftc.gov
Last updated . This guide is general information, not a repair warranty. Printer menus and HP's model lists change, so confirm the exact steps for your model on the manufacturer's support site before you make changes.